Private University or Trade school?

[ZeroAX]

I really don't understand what political views have to do with academia unless you are talking economic majors.

it's not like engineering changes depending on your world view :S

[jp1]

I really don't understand what political views have to do with academia unless you are talking economic majors.

it's not like engineering changes depending on your world view :S

Perhaps your world view changes depending on your field?

I guess myself and some of my friends/colleagues would be an exception to that though. Being liberal and leaning more toward the left (not extremist though) with computer science background for me and mostly engineering for them.

I did finish my education later in life and have more experience with trade/labor type jobs though.

[Jmustang1968]

I really don't understand what political views have to do with academia unless you are talking economic majors.

it's not like engineering changes depending on your world view :S

I think it is more telling that perhaps certain political views tend to certain professions or fields.

[jp1]

I really don't understand what political views have to do with academia unless you are talking economic majors.

it's not like engineering changes depending on your world view :S

I think it is more telling that perhaps certain political views tend to certain professions or fields.

Telling of what though? Aside from the obvious like going into social work, teaching, or something else with a lower income potential but more focus on rewarding experiences by helping people. Many other careers seem to be based on "I think I might enjoy that." or in some cases "I could earn a better living if I choose X".

[Jmustang1968]

I really don't understand what political views have to do with academia unless you are talking economic majors.

it's not like engineering changes depending on your world view :S

I think it is more telling that perhaps certain political views tend to certain professions or fields.

Telling of what though? Aside from the obvious like going into social work, teaching, or something else with a lower income potential but more focus on rewarding experiences by helping people. Many other careers seem to be based on "I think I might enjoy that." or in some cases "I could earn a better living if I choose X".

More of just an interesting observation. People whos brains are wired a certain way or have a certain leaning seem to share similar professions.

[dsheinem]

"Truth has a well-known liberal bias." - Ronald Reagan

"We get all the ass." - JFK

"Beards are the mark of radical intelligence." - Karl Marx

"Who, who let the dogs out?" - Mitt Romney

"Eeeeeeee-yooooooore Eeeeeeeee-yoooooooore" - Ron Paul

[Ack]

I really don't understand what political views have to do with academia unless you are talking economic majors.

it's not like engineering changes depending on your world view :S

Think about it like this: if an idea becomes politicized in any capacity, then people who favor one view or the other will tend to latch onto that view. And if academia leans one way, then how honest and accurate can the research be if it is being conducted and reviewed through a lens of bias? Personal view influences everything, so historical research can be influenced, as can research in literature, art, social behavior and sociology, statistics, political science, linguistics, communication, philosophy, economics, so on and so forth. Yes, even engineering and the philosophies behind its purpose and usage.

What if the history of your country were only examined from a left wing or a right wing viewpoint? How do you think we study the Vietnam War in the US? What about global climate change, which has seen in some cases data fudged or suppressed to see a particular view rectified or cast out? The way you view politics is heavily influential on the way you view the world, because it is effectively an expression of your core beliefs on humanity and society. So if the principal viewpoint is one way, will research be conducted another? And what if something radical occurs that shows that the particular in-vogue viewpoint is wrong? Does that information get suppressed or praised?

[ZeroAX]

Ok I understand where you are coming from Ack.

But I guess we are just a world apart, cause here when talking about the divide between left and right you are talking almost exclusively about economic policy. In all other matters (global warming, gay rights, abortion, foreign policy ect.) there is (more or less) a general consensus (even if some times I personally disagree with that general consensus) and thus not much to "fight" over other than the economy and jobs. (EDIT: which you many, makes it look even worse when almost the entire continent has fucked up so badly on the single topic worth debating )

[JsGameRoom]

I think it is more telling that perhaps certain political views tend to certain professions or fields.

Mcdonalds workers = Democrats?

crap let me insert smilies so people know it's sarcasm

[prfsnl_gmr]

<sigh>